Eagles soar to top of group in State Cup

By ANTHONY FISHER THE Sunshine Coast Eagles overcame a controversial penalty and a second-half fightback from North Queensland to jump to the top of Group A in State Cup soccer at Townsville on Saturday night.

Leading 2-0 after dominating the first half of the round two clash, the Eagles were left stunned in the 70th minute when referee Kevin Boston blew the whistle on a borderline Pat Dennehy tackle in the box.

North Queensland slotted home the resulting spot kick and began to threaten for the win when it equalised with its second goal five minutes later.

But Coolum striker Trevor Morrison extinguished the home sides hopes with a brilliant strike five minutes from time to secure the Sunshine Coast a 3-2 victory and a two point break on a group of three chasers in Group A.

Morrison had earlier rammed home a brave header to open the visitors scoring and was a pivotal figure in many of the Eagles attacking raids, which netted a further result in the 25th minute of the match when Ben Knight latched onto an Alistair Lackey cross near the far post.

Morrison and young keeper Ashley ONeill came in for special praise from Eagles coach George Cowie, who was less impressed with the games chief official after watching a certain win go close to slipping from his teams grasp.

"There was a very controversial decision out there and it nearly cost us the game, said Cowie.

"There were decisions that went both ways but if theres a controversial decision on halfway it doesnt affect the game.

"But at the end of the day we really needed to get something out of our first two games and we did.

The Eagles will take on respected Brisbane club Pine Rivers in round three of the five game Cup series next week.